English
Neighbourhood Sept. 23rd
7 o’clock
P.M.
Dear Sir
The very severe rain almost
frightens me about the provisions from Paulus Hook. If a provision sloop
could be sent tomorrow to Fort Lee, besides all the other precautions it would
make us more secure, I think it so essential a point, in the present situation
of the troops, that we cannot use too many means to put it out of the Power of
chance to disappoint us. The mistake about the craft yesterday has distress’d
us beyond expressions. No Officer has or is likely to have any change of
cloaths or linen or any thing to eat or drink. I hear none of the horses of
the regimental waggons are yet landed. Excuse my troubling you, but I know
you are full as anxious as myself about this business.
Yrs.
very Sincerely
Cornwallis
[Sir Henry Clinton]
University of Michigan,
William L. Clements Library, Sir Henry Clinton Papers, Volume 42, item 2.
English
Neighbourhood Sept. 25th
11 o’clock
A.M.
Dear Sir
I think it probable that I
shall see you today, but as I am sending off a dragoon to Paulus Hook, I let
this line take its chance. This fine weather has made us forget all
grievances, The provision is not yet come but we can make a shift today
without it. I have not heard of the Sloop at the creek, or the victualler at
Fort Lee, I have sent to enquire about them. I am convinced that Fort Lee
will be the best & safest manner of our subsisting. I have sent out people to
enquire about Militia, Cattle &c, & will do the best I can to get at
one or the other. There are certainly not above 200 men of the Continental
Army in this part of the Country. You had better bring up the dragoons from
Paulus Hook as an escort, for fear of small party’s crossing the Hackensac
river, tho’ there cannot be much danger as I have order’d posts from the 57th
Regt. at Brown’s, Schuyler’s, & the Little Ferry.
I am
with great truth
Very Sincerely Yours
Cornwallis
[Sir Henry Clinton]
University of Michigan,
William L. Clements Library, Sir Henry Clinton Papers, Volume 42, item 7.
English
Neighbourhood Octr. 6th [1778]
Dear Sir
I was just too late for you
this morning; The Man whom you saw the other day at my quarters came again
today, He says positively that not a man is come over at Kings Ferry, but that
one hundred have return’d to the other side. He adds that all their Convoy’s
& even their Post go by the upper passage at the back of the Mountains. We
want much the return of the sloops to carry off the forage, no time shall be
lost on our part; I think we may safely stay a day or two after Kniphausen
retires, before we take up the position on the neck, perhaps longer if
necessary, so that I think you need not delay recalling him on our account..
Yrs.
very Sincerely
Cornwallis
[Sir Henry Clinton]
University of Michigan,
William L. Clements Library, Sir Henry Clinton Papers, Volume 42, item 37.
English
Neighbourhood Octr: 8th [1778]
Dear Sir
I was a little puzzled in
obeying your commands, of giving an account of our march, I doubt whether you
will think it particular enough, but I thought it best to avoid too pompous an
account. I beg you will not scruple to make any alterations you may think
proper. They send no sloops from New York, so that we cannot get off from the
neck all the Hay we brought in the other day, However if it is necessary to
move, we can put it over in Batteaux’s to the Fort Lee side. If I hear
nothing of Sloops before tomorrow morning I shall do that at all events &
clear the River of all craft as far down as Secaucus, I then shall be able to
move at a moments warning; This camp is certainly pleasanter for the troops
than that on the ridge will be, by the present intelligence there seems to be
no danger, but as we have no material object for staying it will be right to
seek no risk. I can move on Saturday without inconvenience, but should be
glad to be favour’d with your opinion upon it. I should have sent you the
letter from Skinner, but concluded you had a duplicate, you may depend on my
losing no time in transmitting all intelligence to you. I am sorry to hear
that there are not above eighty Tons of fresh Hay at Secaucus. I am with
great respect
Most
Sincerely yours
Cornwallis
Should the present
embarkations occasion any
increase to the establishment
of Hospital Surgeons
or Apothecary’s I must beg
leave to mention to you
Mr. Hill of the 33rd
Regt. I can safely answer for
his merit & ability’s, I
believe you knew his
Brother with Count La Sifle
last war–
[Sir Henry Clinton]
University of Michigan,
William L. Clements Library, Sir Henry Clinton Papers, Volume 43, item 5.
English
Neighbourhood Octr: 8th [1778]
Dear Sir
The Sloops are come up & I
shall get all the Hay off the neck tomorrow, all accounts agree that there is
no enemy in force on this side the North River. I shall now be at liberty to
move at a moments warning; I do not see much chance of an effectual blow at
any f their posts, if it is done at all it must be before I fall back. The
Man whom you saw was here again today. He says 150 Light Horse are come over
but positively no Infantry. I shall not decide on falling back ‘till I hear
from you tomorrow. You are very good to me about the succession of the 33rd,
I will write to Ld. Rawdon about it.
Yours
very Sincerely
Cornwallis
[Sir Henry Clinton]
University of Michigan,
William L. Clements Library, Sir Henry Clinton Papers, Volume 43, item 6.
English
Neighbourhood Octr: 10th [1778]
Dear Sir
As the weather looks still
very unsettled I shall stay a day or two longer before I fall back, unless I
should receive any intelligence that may make me think it adviseable to do it
directly; In the mean time should any opportunity offer of striking a blow,
you may depend on my not losing it, I am however of opinion that it will not
happen. Two men came this morning from Tappan & said that nothing had pass’d
the North River.
I am
most Sincerely Yours
Cornwallis
[Sir Henry Clinton]
University of Michigan,
William L. Clements Library, Sir Henry Clinton Papers, Volume 43, item 14.
English
Neighbourhood Octr: 12th [1778]
Dear Sir
I have just received yours
of the 10th & shall fall back to the Ridge position tomorrow
morning; as the foraging of Secaucus will be finish’d tomorrow evening. I
propose on the next day to retire to some position near Bergen, unless you
wish me to remain longer near Fort Lee. I am with great regard
Most
Faithfully Yours
Cornwallis
[Sir Henry Clinton]
University of Michigan,
William L. Clements Library, Sir Henry Clinton Papers, Volume 43, item 20.
English
Neighbourhood Monday Night
Octr: 12th
[1778]
Dear Sir
I have just received yours
of this date. I shall tomorrow take the position near Fort Lee, & march on
Wednesday the 14th to the Neighbourhood of Bergen. I think Paulus
Hook will be the most convenient for the embarkation part of which may if you
please commence on Wednesday afternoon. I shall not fail to inform Capt:
Parker of my quitting Fort Lee. I will do myself the honour of waiting on you
on Wednesday Morning at New York. Nothing new Here.
Yours
very Sincerely
Cornwaliis
[Sir Henry Clinton]
University of Michigan,
William L. Clements Library, Sir Henry Clinton Papers, Volume 43, item 21.
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